Campaigning kicks off for 3 Lower House by-elections in Japan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Official campaigning for three Lower House by-elections on April 28 began in Japan on Tuesday.

In the No.1 district of Shimane Prefecture, the by-election is being held following the death of former Lower House speaker Hosoda Hiroyuki in November.

So far, two people have filed their candidacies. This is the only district where the main governing Liberal Democratic Party and an opposition party will be facing each other.

The by-election in Tokyo’s No.15 district is taking place to fill the seat of a former state minister of justice who resigned over vote-buying allegations.

So far, nine people have filed their candidacies while the LDP has not fielded a candidate in the district.

The by-election in the No.3 district in Nagasaki Prefecture will be held after a lawmaker stepped down over a political fundraising scandal.

Two people have filed their candidacies so far. The LDP has not fielded a candidate in the district.

The candidates in the three by-elections are expected to debate issues of politics and economic policies.

Intense campaigning is expected, as the outcome may affect Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s decisions on administrative affairs and strategies to dissolve the Lower House.